Material handling apparatus



June 19, 1945. MERWIN 2,378,568

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filgd Oct. 8, 1943 7 Shets-Sheet 1 i F/G/ an:

l6 #5 4a J0 INVENTOR hf hf MERW/N ATTORNEY June 19, 1945- H. h. MERWIN 2,378,568

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N l/EN 70/? H. H MERW/N ATTORNEY 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN 7' 0/? H. H MERWIN A TTORNEY H. H. MERWIN MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Flled Oct s, 1943 June 19, 1945.

June 19,1945. H. H. MERWIN MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR hf h. MERW/N ATTORNEY June 19, 1945. H. H. MERWIN, 2,378,568

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed 001i. 8, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 has lNVENTOR H MERW/N ATTORNEY June 19, 1945. H. H. MERWlN MATERIAL HANDLiNG APPARATUS I Filed Oct. 8, 1943 7 Sheets-Shed 6 INI/ENTOR H H. MERW/N A r TORNEY June 19, 1945. H. H. ME'RWIN 2,378,553

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ./0 lNVE/VTOR H. H MERW/N Patented-lune 19, 1945 MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Harry H. Merwin, Rutherford, N. J., asslgnor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 8, 1943, Serial No. 505,487

20 Claims. (01. 57-6) This invention relates to material handling apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus-for serving electrical conductors to a textile core.

Cable core balancing units employed in the communications arts may include a length-of textile corewith a pair of insulated electrical conductors spirally wound thereon, the ends of the conductors being of desired lengths. for electrical connections with other units.

An object of the invention is to provide a material handling apparatus which is particularly adapted and efficient in forming of cable core balancing units. With this and other objects in view, the invention comprises a flier rotatable about an advancing core and including a serving head movable axially of the core, to serve spiral windings of -material thereon in one direction and movable in the reverse direction to produce substantially straight portions of the material adiacent the core.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the'accompanying drawings, wherein L Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the ap- ,paratus Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed View of an intermediate'portion of the apparatus; Y Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detailview rotatable about an advancing core l0 which is withdrawn from a supply -II. In the present instance the core I 0 is a fabric cord and upon this cord strands, such as insulated electrical conductors l2 and M from supply reels l5 and I6, are to be served at interval to'the core during the constant advancement of the core. This is accomplished through a serving head indicated generally at l1 and including sheaves l8 about which the strands travel toward the core. The flier, including the supply reels l5 and IB and the serving. head I1, rotates continuously about the core and during this rotation the servinghead I1 is moved axially of the core but at. a lower ratevof speed than the core to'spirally wind the strands l2 and I 4 on the core. This occurs during the movement of the serving head from the solid line position shown in Fig. 10 to the'dotted line positionshown therein, during which time the strands are spirally wound on the core. How-' ever, upon the serving head reaching its upper most position, means is operated to cause a rapid return movement of the serving head to itslowermost'position and thus contrary to the direction of travel of the core, to lay substantially parallel lengthsof the strand adjacent the core, after which another spiral winding of the strands will be formed thereon. Y L

In th schematic illustration in Fig; 10. the serving head has just been lowered afterw laying substantially straight portions of the strand adspirally wound thereon. The reference numeral Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of Fig.3;

Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus; V

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line ll-l| of Fig.2;

Fig. -12 is afragmentary detail view taken alon the linen-I2 of Fig. 3; and Y Fig. 13 illustratesthe-product of the apparatus. Referring now to the drawings, attention is first directed to Figs. 10 and 12. Referring first 20 indicate'sanother spirally wound section of the strands adjacent a capstan 2| which is utilized for the advancement of the core and the strands served'thereto. Portions 22 indicate the substantially straight lengths of strands adjacent the core. Thus' in thi illustration, during the advancement of the core through the flier and theserving head, material is intermittentlyspirally wound on the core and laid substantially parallel thereto, after which the formed structure passes over a sheave 24 aboutthe capstan 2| and onto a takeupreel 25. v 4

Considering now the specific structure of the apparatus, attention is directed to Fig. l, which illustrates a frame structure 28 to support the various operating units of the apparatus. The supply ll for the core-l0 is rotatably supported by a bracket 29 mounted upon the frame 28. The core l0 travels upwardly to the sheave 24 through a hollow rotatable support 30 for a driven head 3| toFig. 10, broadly the apparatus includes a flier ofthe flier. This portion of the flier is shown in the strand vertically at diametrically opposed positions. Rods 31 are fixed at their lower ends to the head 3I and extend vertically as shownin- Figs. 1 and 2, their upper endsbeing connected-tothe rotatable head 38 as at 39.

The serving head I1 shown in Figs. 1-, 2 and 11 has an upper member 4| of the contour illustrated in Fig. 11, a portion of the member in this figure being in solid lines while the remaining portion, to illustrate thecontour thereof, is shown in dot andd'ash lines. Apertures-AZ areprovidedinthe member 4I for the rods 31., and through this connectionthe serving head It is caused to rotate with the flierwhich includes the rod 31 the support 30 and the rotatable head 38, and alsomove longitudinally thereof. Downwardly projecting members43, having their upper ends fixed to the member l-I and reenforced throughthe aid of members M, have their lowerends connectedto-alateral member 45 of the contour illustratedin Fig. 11. The central and widest portion ofthe member 45 is centrally apertured; as at 41, to

receive a hollow or tubular member 48 through which the core I passes in its-travel toward the sheavefl. A collar 4'9, fixed tothe-lower end of the hollow member 48 supports a pin 50 receivablein' an aperture 51' of the member 45, to lock the collar and hollow member against rotation. A spring 52, disposed concentric with the hollow member 48 between themember'fi' and an serving element 54, which is mounted upon the'upper. end of the hollow member; normally urges the elementupwardly into engagement with a.compan-- ion serving; element 55. The element '54. is grooved, as at: 5'6,'t'o provide passageways for the strands I2 and I4. The element 55 is also cene trally apertured at 51 to allow for passage therethrough of the core I!) and for the spiral wrappings-of the strands. I2 and I4 on the core. Vertical rods 58, mounted upon the member 45? and fixed at their upper ends to the element 55, serve to support the latter and to hold the element 54- for registration therewith by passing through apertures 59 in the element. for the pin' 50 is to hold the element. 54 in open position away from the element 55 during the threading of the strands to the core, this. being made possible by the manual movement of the hollow member 48 through the aid of the collar ,49 downwardly against the force of the spring 52 until the pin is out of its aperture 5| and; the

collar" and hollow member turned to move the pin out of registration with its aperture and for abutting engagement with the member 45.

Thesheaves I8, about which the. strands l2. and I4 are directed, are rotatably mounted upon the members 43 of the serving head and, as will be noted by viewing Fig. 11, the sheaves I8 are positioned with the inner portions of their grooves in vertical alignment with the inner'portions of the grooves of the sheaves 35, to assist in maintaining parallel alignment of the strands in their travel longitudinally of the wire- The serving head I1 is rotatably supported, through the aid of a bearing GI disposed in a cen- Another purpose tral aperture of the end member 4 I, upon a reciprocable spindle 62. The spindle 62 has a widened portion 63 disposed within the serving head and extending to the element 55. The portion 63 of the spindle has a central cutaway portion 64 (Fig. 11) to rotatably receive, at one side thereof, a pair of rollers 65 rotatably mounted upon stationary' spindles 6E, and asingle roller 6'! disposed at the other side thereof. rotatably supported by a spindle B8. The spindle 68 is supported by arms 59, which in turn are pivotally supported at it at their upper ends, to allow for movement of the roller 6'! toward or away from the rollers, 55. By viewing Fig. 11, it will be noted that enlarged. apertures TI are provided for the lower spindle portion 63, to compensate for the movement of the roller 6?. Springs I3, connecting'the lower ends of the arms 69 with the lowermost spindle 66, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 11, normally urge the roller 6'! toward the rollers 65. The rollers 65R and 611 are substantially identical in structure excepting. for the variations in size between the roller. 8'! and: the. like rollers 65. They all have. their central metallic portions M made hollow, to receive resilient inserts: 15 which extend over the peripheries thereof and provide resilientportions. for engaging the strands: after they arespirally wound on the core, to assist in laying the strands on: thecore:

The spindle 52 is also disposed in a sleeve I3 carried by a bearing supported in the rotatable head 38' of the flier, to assist in the free rotation of the flier relative to the spindle, the latterbeing held against rotation. The spindle extends from the'central portion of the serving head fora considerable distance above the-flien its length depending upon the distance of-"travel desired for the serving head. The cross-sectional contour of the-spindle 52'is shown in- Fig. 6, it being cylin drical except for the provision of a substantially rectangular groove 82 therein, to allow for the sheave 24. The spindle is also centrally apertured, at 83, at the lower portion" thereof, where the groove 82 is not present, toallow for the passage of the article, namely the core and strands. A collar 85' (Figs. 5. and 6) is fixed to the outer end of the spindle 52, as at 86, and has a reduced portion 81' to which the ends 86 and B9 of a chain 90 are secured. The chain 9!] passes around sprockets 9 I and 92 (Figs. 1'. 2 and 4:) the sprocket'BI being rotatably' supported by a shaft 93 carried by the frame 28, while the sprocket 92 is keyed to a shaft 94.

Theshaft 94' is rotatably mounted on suitable bearings '96 (Fig. 3) and has a sprocket 91 mounted upon the outer end thereof. A chain 98 connects the sprocket 9"! with a sprocket 99, which. is disposed upon but not fixed to a shaft N18. The sprocket 99 (Figs. 7 and 12) has an integral lug I DI projecting between a pair of connecting elements I82, which are freely mounted, as at I03, on the shaft IEIII and have their outer ends normally" urged toward each other by a spring I M. A collar I05, fixed to the shaft Illtl, has a similar-integral lug I'llfi projecting between the elements I52, and through this means a flexiblexconnection is provided between the sprocket 99 and the shaft IUil.

Attention at this point is directed to a sprocket It! rotatably supported upon an arm Hi8 and adiustably mounted, at I09',;for engagement with the chain 98', to maintain the chain sufliciently taut on its sprockets.

The shaft I00 is rotatably supported in suitable bearings H0 and has sprockets III and H2 together with their clutch members H4 and beingpfixed to avertical shaft I3I.

v ings and has abevelled gear I2I mounted thereon. The bevelled gear I2I interengages a similar bevelled gear I22 which is mounted upon the upper. end of a vertical shaft I23 (Figs. 1 and 2) which extends downwardly through suitable bearlugs and has a. gear I24 mounted upon the lower 'end thereof.

. I Attention'is now directed to the power means which, in the present instance, is an electric motor I21 mounted upon the base of the frame 28 and controlled through a suitable electrical circuit not shown. A shaft I28 of the motor I21 has a bevelled gear I29 mounted thereon which interengages a similar bevelled gear I30, the latter The bearings and bracket supports for the various shafts are not specifically described but are illustrated in the drawings. A worm gear I32, fixedly mounted on the shaft I3I,'interengages a worm gear I 34 to drive a shaft I35 upon which the gear I34 is mounted. A pulley I38, fixed to the shaft I35, is

connected by a belt I 31, shown schematically in Fig. 1, tea pulley I38. The pulley I38 is mounted upon a shaft I39 which supports the takeup reel 25, to drive the takeup reel in the direction of the arrow. An idler pulley I40, supported by a bracket MI and normally urged upwardly'by a spring or other suitable means. (not shown), maintains the belt I31 sumciently. taut and also causesapplication of desired tension on the article. between the capstan 2I and the takeup:

Returning to the shaft I3I, it will be noted that I a multi-grooved cone-shaped sheave I44, adjustably mounted upon the. shaft, is adapted to drive thehead 3| of the flier, through the aid of a.

belt I45 and an idler sheave I46. Through the selection of varied grooves in the sheave I44, the flier'may be rotated at varied speeds with respect to the advancement of the core I0, to vary the spiral windings of the strands I2 and I4 thereon. 1 t y A pinion I48, fixed to the shaft I 3|, interengages the gear I24 to drive theshaft I23. Thus thddriving means has been connected. to the sprocket I I I for rapidly moving the serving'head I1 downwardly. When the shaft I is connected to the'sprocketI I2 through the clutch element II8 andthe clutch member I I5, the servin head -I1 is moved upwardly at a predetermined speed which-is much slower than thelowering or return speed of movement of the'se'rving head. In connecting the driving means with the sprocket II {attention is again directed to the shaft I3I, where, atthe upper end thereof, a worm I50 is mounted for interengagement with a worm gear II of a shaft I 52, on which is mounted a sprocket I53. A chain I54 (Figs. 1 and2) operatively con nects the sprocket I53 with the sprocketIIZ, which is shown indetail in Fig. 7 and also in Fig. 3.1;Anidler sprocket I55, suitably mounted for interengagement with thechain I 54, maintains the chain'sufiiciently taut upon its sprockets.

Attention is again directed to the shaft I3I,

where a driving connection is provided for the capstan 2| through the worm I50, the worm gear I5I and the-shaft I52 upon which apinion I51 is mounted. The pinion I51 interengages a gear I58, the latter being mounted upon a shaft I59 which supports and has fixed thereto a pinion I60 which interengages a gear I6I of a shaft I62, the latter supporting both the gear I6I and the capstan 2I.' The capstan 2I is of the spiral groove type, about which several convolutions of the article are wound when received from the sheave 24 and prior to th passing of the article to the takeup reel 25.

The mechanism for controlling the clutch element II8 for reversing the travel of the serving head I 1 is illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and '7. Viewing first Fig. 7, a yoke I is shown mounted upon a shaft. HI and supporting pins I12 in the upper ends thereof which support rollers I13 positioned to'ride in an annular groove I14 of the clutch element H6. The clutch element is provided with teeth I18 upon each face thereof for interengagement with teeth I18 and I19 of the clutch members II 4 and lI5,-respective1y. The

clutch element; as previously described, is keyed to the shaft I00 and through the interengaging teeth, the element may be positively engaged with either sprocket III or II 2. A lever I80, fixed to the rocking shaft I1 I, has its outer end connected through a link I8I to a shifting rod I83. The shifting rod 183 extends vertically from the con necting link I 8I through apertures I84 in parallel brackets I85 which are fixed to the collar 85 (Figs.

4 and 5) as indicated at I88. The upper aper-.

ture I84 (Figs. 4 and 5) is of suflicient size to receive a sleeve portion I88 of an adjustable abutting member I88, the latter being fixed at a desired position upon the shifting rod I83. Beneath the sleeve portion I88 is a collar I90 disposed concentricwith the rod I 83 formed torest upon the upper end of a compression spring I 9I. A similar collar I92 is disposed concentric with the rod I 83 and adapted to receive the lower end. of the spring I9I. The upper end of the rod I83 is movably disposed in an aperture I93 of a bracket I94, the latter being fixed as at I95 to the frame structure 28. .A guide rod" I91, having its upper end disposed in an aperture I98 of th bracket I94, is held in place therein by pins I99. The rod I 91 extends through apertures in the brackets I85 and has its lower end (Fig. 9) disposed in an aperture 200 of a bracket I, the latter being fixedly mounted, as at 202, upon the adjacent portion of the frame structure 28. The guide rod I91 thus mounted serves in guiding the collar during its vertical movement and through the connection of the guide rod with the brackets I85 the collar is held against rotation.

Latching-means is provided adjacent the brackets I94 and 20I, to cooperate with the shifting rod I83 to actuate the clutch mechanism at the ends of the travel of the serving head. Considering first the upper latching means, attention is directed to Figs. 4 and 6. An upper latch '205, pivotally supported at 205 uponthe bracket I 94, has a shoulder 201 adapted to ex-' tend over the adjacent upper edge of the abutting member I89. The latch 205 is normally urged toward the shifting rod I83 to form latching engagement with the abutting member through the aid of a spring 208. The free end of the latch 205 is bifurcated, as at 209, to straddle a latch releasing rod 2I0 through the coop eration of cam-like tapered surfaces 2 and 2I2 of the latch and-releasing rod, respectively.

In the illustration shown. in Fig; 4-, a collar 2- flxed to the. releasing rodv am has been. engaged by the. upper bracket I85 and the collar 85, to move the releasing rod ZI II upwardly to move the latch 205 out of engagement with the abutting member I89; allowing force stored in the spring ISI to move the shifting. rod I83 upwardly to bring about shifting of. the clutch mechanism. During the upward movement of the releasing rod 2 I a disc. member 2I5 carriedthereby causes compression of a spring 2I8 to. urge the releasing rod 2H1 downwardly to condition the latch 205 to be moved about its spring: 208into latch ing position. Upon movement of the shifting rod I83, another disc member 218 disposedl concentrio with a reduced portion of the releasing rod 2."), is positioned with the. spring and other disc member in a housing 2I9 fixed to the bracket I94 and apertured to receive a collar v220 mounted upon. the upper end of the shifting rod 210. The spring 2I6' provides a neutralizing force to be applied to the shifting rod 2H1 after each clutch actuating operation. The. spring IBI provides the force for shifting the clutch element H6 in either position, as will be set forth in the description of the lower latching means.

Referring now to the lower latching means shown in Figs. 3- and 9, it will be apparent that an abutting member 222, similar to the abutting member I89, is fixed to the shifting rod I83 adjacent the lower end thereof. A latch 223, substantially identical. in structure to thelatch 20.5 excepting the provision of a shoulder 22-4 at the upper side thereof instead of at the under side as is the construction of the latch 205', is pivotally supported at 225 upon the bracket 2M. The latch 223 is normally urged toward the shifting rod I83 by a spring 226 and has a bifurcated end 221 provided with a tapered cam-like surface"228adapted to cooperate with a similar tapered cam-like surface 223 of the releasing rod 2W. As previously stated, the spring ZIB functions for the lower latching mechanism and is compressed by the collar 220 engaging the disc member 2l8 during downward movement of the releasing rod 2 II) by the engagement' of the lower bracket I85 with a collar 23B 'adjustably mounted upon the releasing rod as shown in Figs. 3 and 9.

Considering now the operation of the apparatus, attention is again directed to Fig. '10, which illustrates schematically the principle of operation of the apparatus. During rotation of the capstan 2I the finished article illustrated in Fig.

13 is advanced and is wound upon the takeup reel 25-. During this advancement of the article the core I0 is withdrawn from the-supply II and moved vertically through the flier and the serving head I! therein. The flier and serving head are rotated at a given speed and during this rotation the serving head together with the supply reels I5 and It for the strands I2 and I4 are rotated about the core. Starting at the lowermost position adjacent the supply reels, the serving head serves or spirally winds the strands I2 and I4 about the core, the serving head mov ing vertically in the flier with the core but at a slower rate of speed than the advancement of the core, to provide the spiral windings. of the strands about the core. When the serving head reaches its upper limit the clutch mechanism is actuated, disconnecting the means for moving the serving head from one driving mechanism to another to rapidly return. the serving head to.- ward the supply reels, forming substantially straight parallel strand portions 235 between spirally wound sections 236 of they article, as illustrated in Fig. 13. I

Referring to the other figures, beginning with Fig- 1, it is believed that the two driving'means interposed between the motor I21 anclthe sprocket III for driving the serving head downwardly at a rapid rate of speed, and the driving mechanism connected with the sprocket .I It for moving the serving head upwardly at a slower rate of speed, are understood. With the serving head in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the latch mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is about to be released, the latch 205 being moved out oi. engagement with the abutting member I39 to allow the force stored in the spring I9I to move the shifting rod I83 upwardly to rock the lever I 88 (Fig. '7) counterclockwise to move the yoke I18 to move the clutch element IIB out of engagement with the sprocket I I2 and into engagement with the clutch member IIII of the sprocket III. Immediately, the driving of the shaft IIIB is reversed and, through the flexible connection shown in Figs. 'T'and 8, the direction of travel of the shaft 94 (Figs. 2 and 3) isreVersed, causing the serving head to move downwardly. During this interval of time the serving-head travels down the strands and they continue to be advanced to the serving elements 54 and 55 at a rate of speed equal that of the core, forming the substantially straight portions of the article as they pass between the rollers 85 and 61 with the core Hi. When the serving head reaches its lowermost position, the collar 85 traveling with it will, through the upper bracket I85 carried thereby, cause compression of the spring I9I by engaging the collar I93, and upon the lower bracket I85 engaging the collar 230 to release the lower latch mechanism through downward movement of the releasing rod 2H); the clutch mechanism will be actuated by a down- I ward movement of the shifting rod E83, through the force of the spring I9I, to return the clutch element H5 into engagement with the clutch member II5.

Although specific improvements of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A material handling apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core at a constant rate of speed, a rotatable and reciprocable unit for serving a strand to the core,means to rotate the unit to cause spiral winding of the strand for a given distance about the core, and means to reciprocate the unit to cause a given length of the strand to lay substantially parallel with the core. v

2. A material handling apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core at a constant rate of speed, a rotatable and'reciprocable unit for serving a strand to the core, and means to cause reciprocation oi the unit relative to the core to cause spiral winding of the strand about the core during travel of the unit in one direction and laying of the strand substantilly parallel with the core during travel of the unit in the opposite direction. h v v 3. A material handling apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core at a constant rate of speed, a rotatable and reciprocable unit for serving a strand to the core,'means to cause rotation of theunit, and means to cause reciprocation of the unit relative to the core to cause spiral winding of the strand about the core during travel of the unit in one direction and layin of the strand substantially parallel oithe core to spirally wind a portion of the strand {about the care, "mechanism adapted to operatively connect the power means to the unit to causemovement of the unit in a reverse direcwith the coreduring travel. of the unit in the v opposite direction. I .4. A material handling apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core'at a constant rate of speed, a rotatable and reciprocable unit forservinga strandxto the core; means to cause rotation of the unit, means to move the unit in the direction of travel of the core to cause the unit to wind the strand spirally on the core, and means to move the unit in a reverse direction tocause the unit to lay the strand substantially parallel with the core.

,5. Amaterial handling apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core at. a

given rate of speed, a rotatable and reciprocable unit for serving astrand to the core, means to v cause rotation' of the unit, means to move the unit in the direction of travel of the core and at aslower, speed to cause the unit to spirally wind the strand about the core, and means to "move the unit at afaster rate of speed and-inth reverse direction to cause the unit to lay the strand substantially parallel with the core. 7 6. A material handling apparatus comprisin means to longitudinally advance a core at a constant rate of speed, a rotatable and reciprocable unit for serving a strand to the core, means to cause, rotation of; the unit, means to movethe unit in the direction of travel of the core to cause the unitto windjthe strand spirally on the core, means to move the unit in a reverse direction to .cause the unit to lay the strand substantially the coreto spirally wind a portion of thestrand tion to cause a por'tion oi the strandt'o layjsub-.

s antially parallel with the core, andIvaria'ble means to alternately render thesaid mechanisms effective at variabl'e intervals of time. 10. A material handling apparatus comprising means to'longitudinally advance a core, a rotatable and reciprocable unit for serving a strand to the core, means to, cause'rotation of the unit, powermeans,' mechanism adapted to operatively connect the'power means'to theunitj to cause movementof the unit in the direction of travel or the core to spirally'wi'ndfa portion of the strand about thecore, mechanism adapted to operatively connect the power means to the unit to cause movement of the'unit in a reverse dlrec tion to causea portion of the strand to lay substantially parallel with the core, and means under the control of the unitto alternately render thesaid mechanism effective.

11. A material handlin apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core, a rotatable and reciprocable unit for serving a. strand movement of the unit in the direction of travel of the core to spirally wind a portion of the strand about'the core, and mechanism adapted to operatively connect'the power means to the unit to cause movement of the unit in a reverse direction to cause a portion of the strand to lay substantially parallel with the core.

8. A material handlingapparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core, a rotatable and reciprocable unit iorserving a strand to the core, means to cause rotation of the unit, power means, mechanism adapted to operatively connect the power means to the unit to cause movement of the unit in the direction of travel of the core to spirally wind a portion of. the

strand about the core, mechanism adapted to operatively connect the power means to the unit to cause movement of the unit in a reverse direction to cause a portion of the strand to lay substantially parallel with the core, and means to alternately render the said mechanisms effective.

to the core, means to cause rotation of the unit, power means, mechanism adapted to operatively connect the PQWer means to the unit to cause movement of the unit in the direction of travel of about the core, mechanism adapted to operatively connect the power means to the unit to cause movement of the unit in; a reverse direction'to cause a portion of the strandto lay substantially parallel with the -core, means to alternatelyrender the said mechanisms eiiective, and means interposed between the last named means and the said mechanisms to cushion the starting portion of each movement of the unit.

12. A material handling apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core, a rotatable and reciprocable unit for serving a strand to the core, means to cause reciprocation of the unit relative to the core to cause spiral winding of the strand about the core during travel of in, means to longitudinally advance a core and a strand longitudinally through the flier and unit, and means to reciprocate the unit in the flier to cause the unit to alternately spirally wind portions of the strand about the core and cause intermediate portionsof the strand to lie substantially parallel withthe core.

14. A material handling apparatus comprising a rotatable flier, a serving unit disposed in to vary the reciprocal travel of the unit in the flier tovary the lengths of the said portions.

15. A material handling apparatus comprising a rotatable flier, means to longitudinally advance a core through the flier, a strand supply disposed in the flier, a unit'for serving the strand to theadvancing core disposed in the flier, rotatable therewith and reciprocable therein, and means to reciprocate the unit in'the flier to cause the "unit to "alternately spirally wind portions of the strand about the core and-cause'intermediate portions of the strand to lie substantially parallel with the core. t

16. A material handling apparatus comprising a rotatable flier; meansto longitudinally advance a core through the flier, a strand supply disposed in the flier, a unit for serving the strand to the advancing core'disposed in the flier, rotatable therewith and reciprocable therein, and means to alternately cause movement of the unit with and opposing the direction of travel of the core to alternately causespiral winding of portions of the strand about the core and laying of portions substantially parallel with the core.

17. A material handling apparatus comprising a rotatable flier, means to longitudinally advance a core through the flier, a strand supply disposed in and rotatable with the flier, -a unit for serving the strand to the advancing core disposed in the flier, rotatable therewith and reciprocable therein, means to direct the strand to the unit, and means to reciprocate the unit in the flier to cause the unit to alternately spirally wind portions of the strand about the core and cause intermediate portions of thestrand to lie substantially parallel with the core.

18. A material handling apparatus comprising a rotatable flier, means to longitudinally advance a core through the flier, a strand supply disposed in the flier adjacent one end thereof, a serving unit reciprocable in the flier and rotatable therewith, means to move the unit away from the supply at 'a rate of speed less than that of the core to cause the unit to spirally wind a portion of the strand about the core, and means to move the unit at a faster rate of speed toward the supply to cause a portion of the strand to lie substantially parallel with the core.

19. A material handling apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core, a strand supply, a rotatable and reciprocable serving unit adapted to serve a strand to the core, means to move the unit away from the supply at a rate of speed slower than the travel of the core to cause spiral winding of a portion of the strand about the core, and means to move the unit at a rate of speed faster than that'of the core toward the-supply to cause a portion of the strand to lie substantially parallel with the core.

20. A material handling apparatus comprising means to longitudinally advance a core, a'strand supply, a rotatable and reciprocable serving unit adapted to serve a strand to the core, means to direct the travel of the strand "between the supply and unit mea-ns to move the unit away from the supply at a rate of speed slower than the travel of the core to cause spiral winding of a portion of the strand about thecore, and means to move the unit at a rate of speed faster than that of the core toward the supply to cause a portion of the strand to lie substantially parallel with the core.

- HARRY H. MERWIN. 

